How to Tie the Trucker's Hitch Using Rope or Paracord to Secure a Tight Ridgeline

The Trucker’s Hitch creates tension in a line tied between two objects. This knot creates versatility for survival, Search & Rescue operations, and everyday living. Use the Trucker’s Hitch for overhead tension in a shelter roof (a ridgeline), securing bundles, attaching loads to vehicles, or any other application requiring pressure on a line to complete a task.
0:00 Introduction
0:12 The Shelter Ridgeline
1:08 Tying the Trucker's Hitch
3:13 Common Mistake
4:05 Make a shelter ridgeline using a Trucker's Hitch
7:38 Pro Tip (dealing with excess cordage)
8:35 Outro

[@TheFairway8]

Straight to the point no fluff. Thanks

[@SurvivalU]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@jackiego1]

I like that clever way to lock the bite at the end

[@PioneerRifleCompany]

This is one of the best descriptions with application examples of using this knot. Great job.

[@SurvivalU]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@saldevere9066]

Great video, especially pointing out common mistakes

[@SurvivalU]

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated!

[@walterkizzie6357]

Enjoy watching your videos, thanks for the lessons sir.

[@SurvivalU]

Thank you for the kind words, Walter.

[@paulhumphreys2254]

Really well-explained. Thank you very much indeed.

[@SurvivalU]

Thank you for the kind words, Paul.

[@matthewshannon6946]

Very informative and easily understood! Thank you!!!

[@SurvivalU]

Hi Matthew. Thank you for the feedback!

[@ardeet]

That was clear and useful. Thanks 👍

[@SurvivalU]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@johnnygnash2253]

Very nicely explained and illustrated. Thanks!

[@SurvivalU]

Hi Johnny. Thank you for the kind words.

[@huskylord123]

Thank you for this.

[@SurvivalU]

Sorry for the late response. We appreciate the feedback!

[@tonya4157]

Personally, I would use a Bowline knot on the tag end and use a bite and a toggle to secure it. I would use bank line to make Prussics for attaching the tarp with toggles. And the line would be hanked, pulling from it as needed. That way, when you make your Truckers hitch at the other end, you can just pass the hank through the loop. And, you can insert that hank in the last loop and cinch it down as a lock. With a little practice, you can create the slip loop for the Truckers hitch with one hand and one motion. Credit goes to Sean Kelly of Corporal's Corner. He didn't create the ridgeline line but this is how he uses it and where I learned it.

[@SurvivalU]

Hi Tony, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. When teaching students, I prioritize simplicity, especially in high-pressure situations where recall can be challenging. That's why I focus on a minimal set of knots. Among them, the Figure-8-on-a-Bight stands out for its ease of tying under stress, its robustness compared to other loops, and its simplicity in untying even when under load. (My ridgeline hank is pre-tied with a Figure 8-on-a-Bight and three bank line prusiks.) While I use the toggle and bight method to connect to the first attachment point, I've reconsidered its suitability for beginner students. The potential risk, where the entire structure could fail if the toggle fails, is a concern. To ensure safety for both the responder and the patient, I've shifted away from teaching it to beginners. I go for a strong toggle and bight setup, sometimes using a big glow stick as the toggle for better visibility and durability. Also, I have bank line prusiks already set up on my ridgeline, but I save that trick for the more advanced students, so I don't overwhelm the beginners. I've spent quite a bit of time watching Sean Kelly's and Dave Canterbury's videos, trying out different approaches, and eventually landed on what really clicks for me and my students. Thank you again and best regards.

[@billgleeson1059]

That slip loop will jam under load and become a knife knot. Only a knife can remove the knot. Alpine butterfly loop is a superior choice .

[@SurvivalU]

Hi Bill. Are you thinking of the slip loop being used in a different application then shelter ridgeline? In this video, the context of the slip loop is for a shelter ridgeline. I've tied hundreds and hundreds of these, and not once, has the knot failed to come undone.

[@oastie3]

In the old days, here in the U.K., truckers tying down a load did not tie a loop in the standing part, they simply twisted it 2 or three times and used the resulting loop. Under tension this held perfectly but simply fell apart when the tension was released. I have used the same system to lash a canoe to the roof of my car on many occasions. I have also seen but not tried a self-locking trick where the trailing line is passed through the loop, twice, this locks as it comes under tension but, again, falls apart as tension is released.

[@maze400]

Just wondering why you didn't tie the trucker's hitch as an auto trucker hitch You can really crank on the line and know slippage.

[@SurvivalU]

Hi and thank you for the question. We've found that this method is easy for students to remember under stress, easy to untie once loaded, and strong - especially when a shelter is exposed to inclement weather conditions.

[@imafarmer6353]

First. Your first anchor point. A timber hitch easier, does not leave tight knot….don’t know why you tied eye then pulled rope through????…there is any number of better ways to secure first anchor point…..second. For light tension/ small rope the truckers hitch will suffice. But. Heavy tension/small rope the friction of tightening especially para cord or common store cheap rope will cut rope. A grapevine hitch is better for your application … truckers hitch used by truckers to secure loads is larger more durable rope. 1/2,5/8,3/4 powerbraid or even polypropylene or sisal. What y’all need remember. When looping rope or cable in a bite you are cutting its breaking strength by 1/2. That is why when rope and cable are braided with eyes, Clevis support for the bite. A bowline is the most versatile ,most usable knot.

[@SurvivalU]

Thank you for your feedback. Ensuring the safety of students and first responders is our priority. While we acknowledge that there may be better methods for specific purposes, our experience shows that the ridgeline system for emergency shelters we teach strikes an optimal balance, ensuring quick and secure application even under stress and adverse weather conditions.